Often people view Christianity and the life that is to be lived as too restrictive and confining. They want to enjoy all the seeming “pleasures” of this life which are not possible to those that have Christ living in them. What about this? Is the Christian’s life too restrictive?

There is an old song we sing that asked the question, “Have you counted the cost if your soul should be lost?” What is the cost if one is lost? (1) His soul is cast into hell (Matthew 25:41; 10:28). (2)A loss of great joy; life has frustrations but to be saved will give us the greatest joy (2 Corinthians 4:16-18; Romans 8:18). (3) No hope of heaven as our eternal home. As we live as Christians doing the Lord’s will we look with hope to a better and eternal day (Revelation 2:10; Hebrews 6:18-20). But for the soul that is lost in eternally this hope is lost (Luke 16:19-31).

Let us all count the cost should our soul be lost. Then, understanding the great cost of our soul being lost, let each determine to seek after the Lord with all of our heart, soul and mind (Matthew 22:37). Truly giving ourselves as a living sacrifice.
Market Street Messenger, Athens, Alabama.